The “How to make a video” video

This isa script I wrote years ago at GDS, when we were thinking about making a video to help people in other government departments when they were making their own videos. The idea was to “show the thing” – in this case, all the things people should try to avoid when making a video.

I can’t remember if this idea ever got any further than my laptop, but anyway: we didn’t make it.

CAPTION: Dos and don’ts for making videos…

CAPTION: Don’t: put people in front of windows

(Shot of interviewee with window behind)

CAPTION: Do: use daylight

(Shot of interviewee well lit by daylight)

CAPTION: Don’t: have busy backgrounds

(Shot of interviewee in crowded place, people moving behind and around)

CAPTION: Do: keep things simple

(Shot of interviewee in good position)

CAPTION: Don’t: use the camera microphone

INTERVIEWEE (muffled): The sound quality isn’t very good

CAPTION: Do: use a proper microphone

INTERVIEWEE: Now you can hear me clearly; that’s much better

CAPTION: Don’t: include too many people in one video

RAPID SERIES OF CUTS BETWEEN INTERVIEWEES, ALL IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS:

INTERVIEWEE 1: Because

INTERVIEWEE 2: that

INTERVIEWEE 3: makes

INTERVIEWEE 4: everything

INTERVIEWEE 5: sound

INTERVIEWEE 6: disjointed

CAPTION: Do: talk to one or two people

INTERVIEWEE 1: That way, you can tell a simple story

INTERVIEWEE 2: Without making things too confusing, or too complicated